Michael Joseph "Mike" Green

Michael Joseph "Mike" Green, 81, of Ocean Isle, North Carolina passed away peacefully on October 9, 2014 at the SECU Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center in Bolivia. Born in Youngstown, Ohio to James Green and Marie Kiefer Green, Mike spent his early years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before moving to Durham, North Carolina. He married his high school sweetheart and soul mate Dolores Marie Harcarik Green on January 17, 1953. They shared 62 years of marriage together.

Mike graduated from Oliver High School in Pittsburgh where he played baseball and played in the school band. He was married to Dolores at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church on the north side of Pittsburgh in the Slovak community. In 1953, He was drafted into the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division and served two years at Fort Bragg where he played clarinet in the Army Band.

Mike was employed by Allis-Chalmers in Pittsburgh before joining Crown Aluminum in Roxboro when he moved his family to Durham in 1966. He enjoyed working in his yard and taking care of his two boys; but most of all, he enjoyed traveling the state and meeting people from all walks of life. He adored all his grandchildren and would give each of them something every time they visited. Mike was a people person and would talk with anyone willing to listen. He “spoke with his eyes” and had “a smile on his face” even when times were tough at home. He often gave advice to others in need and had a positive outlook on life.

Mike worked 35 years with the North Carolina Community College System and the North Carolina Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program. He traveled Manteo to Murphy to help recruit and provide education and training services for new, expanding and existing business and industry, especially in the Research Triangle Park. Later in his career, he helped secure federal and state surplus property to support the various state operated drug and alcohol abuse programs. On November 1, 2002, Mike Green was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Michael J. Easley for his tireless and unselfish service to the citizens of North Carolina.

Mike was preceded in death by his father James Green, Sr. and mother Marie Kiefer; his three sisters; Dorothy Mae Gardiner, Helen Marie Miller and Patricia Louise Miller and his older brother James Edward Green, Jr. His younger brother, Myron Hubert Green passed away on October 13 and his daughter-in-law, Patricia McClellan-Green died on May 18. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Marie Green; his sons David Patrick Green and Kenneth Michael Green and wife Nancy. He has five grandchildren; Joseph Marshall Green, William David Green, Scott Thomas Green, Aprille Carrie Green, Andrew Tyler Green; and one great grandson, James Barrett Lee.

He will be interned in the columbarium at Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church in Shallotte and a memorial service is planned later for his family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the SECU Lower Care Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center, 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, NC 28422.